Nectarine tree named ‘Grand Bright’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid July, with first picking on Jul. 14, 2003. The fruit is uniformly large in size, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color. The variety was developed as a first generation cross using ‘Ruby Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,918) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and an unnamed yellow flesh clingstone nectarine as the selected pollen parent.

Latin name: Prunus persica.

Varietal denomination: ‘Grand Bright’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. The present invention relatesto a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has beendenominated varietally as ‘Grand Bright’. The present variety washybridized by me in 1997, grown as a seedling on its own root in mygreenhouse, and transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard at Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (SanJoaquin Valley). The variety was developed as a first generation crossusing ‘Ruby Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,918) yellow flesh nectarineas the selected seed parent and an unnamed yellow flesh clingstonenectarine (unpatented) as the selected pollen parent. A single tree fromthe stated cross was selected as the claimed variety. Subsequent toorigination of the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexuallyreproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orcharddescribed above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its selected seed parent, ‘RubyDiamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,918) nectarine by producing nectarinesthat are mostly red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, mildly acidicand sweet in flavor, and nearly globose in shape but is distinguishedtherefrom by producing nectarines that are clingstone instead offreestone, that are much larger in size, and that mature about sevendays later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

in summary, the present variety is characterized by a large size,vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. Thefruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid July,with first picking on Jul. 14, 2003. The fruit is uniformly large insize, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone intype, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and mostly red in skincolor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned toexhibit the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh, a driedstone, typical leaves, and an inset depicting several flowers, a typicalpetal, and flower buds at various stages.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jul. 17, 2003, on the original tree during itssixth growing season. All major color code designations are by referenceto the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Commoncolor names are also used occasionally.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching a height of 14′ [4.27 m.] and a spread of 10′    [3.05 m.] after six growing seasons utilizing typical dormant    pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Upright and dense.-   Form: Vase formed.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, with a maximum diameter of 4 ⅝″ [117.5 m]            after the sixth growing season.        -   Texture.—Shaggy.        -   Bark color.—Moderate brown [58. m.Br] with Grayish yellowish            brown [80. gy.yBr] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 10. Color:            Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY]. Typical Size: 3/16″ to            7/16 [4.8-11.1 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped to elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 2½″ [64 mm.] measured 12″ above            the crotch, typical of Prunus persica, and dependent upon            cultural practices and climatic conditions.        -   Texture.—Shaggy.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 80 on second            year wood. Color: Light orange yellow [70. l.OY]. Typical            size: 1/64″ to ⅛″ [0.4-3.2 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped to            elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 5½″ [140 mm.]. Average Width:            1⅜″ [35 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute to rounded.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m. OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow green            [120. m.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.            Average Length: ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] to 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Color:            Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Dark            yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] with maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2, as many as 4. Position: Alternate,            on petiole and base of blade. Size: Medium. Form: Reniform.            Color: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] on the outside            with a Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] center.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ½″ [12.7 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Strong purplish pink [247. s.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, very large.        -   Average flower diameter.—1¾″ [44.5 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, with a small percentage of            double blossoms observed.        -   Petal shape.—Circular.        -   Petal margin.—Somewhat wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded, some slightly notched.        -   Petal base.—Rounded.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex and            Moderate purplish pink [250. m.pPk] toward the base.        -   Anther color.—Deep red [13. deep R] over a Light orange            yellow [70. l.OY] center.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101.l.gy].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR].        -   Sepal length.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].        -   Sepal width.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Average pistil length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.]        -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.]        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Medium compared with other varieties.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 2, 2004.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 12, 2004.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Hard ripe, Jul. 17, 2003.-   Date of first picking: Jul. 14, 2003.-   Date of last picking: Jul. 24, 2003.-   Size: Uniform, large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—9.2 ounces [261 grams].-   Form: Globose, uniform.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Circular to slightly oval.        -   Transverse section through diameter.—Circular.-   Suture: A moderate groove from the stem to somewhat beyond the    pistil point that is sharper and deeper toward both the stem cavity    and apex with a marked depression beyond the pistil point.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped throughout on both sides, stronger    toward the apex.-   Lips: Slightly unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on    one side, Light yellow [86. l.Y] stem markings typical.    -   -   Depth.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1″ [25.4 mm.].-   Base: Rounded to slightly truncate.-   Apex: Rounded, but slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the    suture.-   Pistil point: Some apical and some oblique, negligible in length,    depressed within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slightly astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Primarily Dark red [16. d.R] over a Strong reddish            orange [35. s.rO] background, a slight amount of Light            orange yellow [70. l.OY] freckling toward the apex, and            occasional small Light yellow [86. l.Y] areas where sun            protected.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Brilliant Yellow [83. brill.Y] with Strong red [12.            s.R] flecking toward the skin and very near the stone.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Strong pink [2 s.Pk] fibers breaking            when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Abundant, rich.        -   Texture.—Very firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Abundant fine.        -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier at the apex.        -   Flavor.—A tasty blend of acid and sugar, typically 14 brix.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oblong.-   Base: Oblique.-   Apex: Acute, with an average tip angle of 50 degrees and a length of    ⅛″ [3.2 mm.].-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed and ridged toward the apex, pitted    toward the base.-   Ridges: Jagged toward the base.-   External color: Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY] when first    removed, Moderate brown [58. m.Br] when dry.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light orange yellow [70. l.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]-   Average width: 1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].-   Average length: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].-   Average breadth: ¾ [19.1 mm.].-   Tendency to split: Slight.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Light yellow [86. l.Y] when freshly removed,            Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] when dried.        -   Pellicle color.—Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr].        -   Taste.—Sweet.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Average length.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Scant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 17 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to its selected seedparent, ‘Ruby Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,918) nectarine, byproducing nectarines that are mostly red in skin color, yellow in fleshcolor, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, and nearly globose in shapebut is determined therefrom by producing nectarines that are clingstoneinstead of freestone, that are much larger in size, and that matureabout seven days later.